Emilie Grinan-Coley BA, MA

Languages for All
Teaching Fellow in French, Director of Languages for All

Contact details

Address
Ashley Building, Room 120
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Emilie has worked at Birmingham since 2006, teaching a wide range of language levels and developing modules and programmes within LfA and the Department of Modern Languages. She is Director of LfA and the LfA French Coordinator.

Qualifications

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2021
  • Master in Linguistics, University of Franche-Comté (France), 2002
  • Maitrise in Linguistics/Teaching French as a Foreign Language, University of Franche-Comté (France), 2001
  • BA in English Literature and Civilisation, University of Franche-Comté (France), 1999

Biography

Emilie has worked at the University of Birmingham since 2006. She enjoys working with students to support them in becoming confident, proficient learners of French, while encouraging discovery of French-speaking cultures and developing intercultural awareness as part of language learning.

She studied English literature and civilisation at the University of Franche-Comté in France before specialising in Linguistics and Teaching French as a Foreign Language. She completed a Master’s degree in Linguistics, with research focused on communicative strategies. She worked at the University of Franche-Comté while conducting her research and taught modules to Undergraduate students in the Linguistics Department.

After moving to England in 2005, Emilie worked as a lectrice at Nottingham Trent University, teaching conversation classes to Undergraduate students in the French Studies Department. Since joining the University of Birmingham in 2006, she has designed and developed a wide range of French modules, from beginners to advanced levels, within LfA and the Department of Modern Languages. As Director of LfA and LfA French Coordinator, she continues to combine programme development with a strong commitment to teaching, creating engaging digital and in‑class resources to support student motivation and linguistic competence.

Teaching

Emilie has taught French to UoB students across a wide range of levels and has developed and delivered new and innovative modules in French LfA. These include French for Medics, Tandem Learning, Distance Learning, and the Digital First programme. Emilie also designed and teaches the French Beginners’ modules in the Department of Modern Languages.

Research

Emilie’s Master’s degree focused on language learning and communication strategies in native/non-native interactions and the development of communicative competence. Her interests centre on developing students’ oral skills through an understanding of motivation, and through activities designed to build confidence and encourage spoken interaction.